Matthew, Chapter 3

1. And in those days came John the Baptizer. And he proclaimed in the desert of Judaea,    2. and said: Repent; the kingdom of heaven hath approached.    3. For this is he of whom it was said, by Isaiah the prophet: The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make smooth his paths.    4. And as to this John, his raiment was of camel's hair, and a girdle of skin was upon his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey.    5. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country about the Jordan.    6. And they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, while they confessed their sins.    7. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees, who came to be baptized, he said to them: Generation of vipers, who hath taught you to flee from the wrath that cometh?    8. Bring forth the fruits therefore, that accord with repentance.    9. And do not think, and say within yourselves, that Abraham is our father: for I say to you, that God is able of these tones to raise up children to Abraham.    10. And lo, the ax is put to the root of trees. Every tree, therefore, which beareth not good fruit, is felled, and falleth into the fire.    11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that cometh after me is more powerful than I; whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.    12. His winnowing shovel is in his hand; and he will make clean his threshing-floor. The wheat he will gather into his storehouse; and the chaff he will burn with fire not extinguished.    13. Then came Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John, to be baptized by him.    14. But John refused him; and said, I need to be baptized by thee, and hast thou come to me?    15. And Jesus answered, and said to him: Allow it now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he permitted him.    16. And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. And heaven was opened to him; and he saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove, and it came upon him.    17. And lo, a voice from heaven, which said: This is my beloved Son, in whom I have delight.